Owen overpowers Polk, 46-27, in conference opener
Warhorse defense forces five turnovers as offense finds its footing against Wolverines
Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
September 19, 2026
A pre-game lightning delay and lengthy stoppage of play in the second half kept the lights on in Warhorse Stadium until nearly midnight, Sept. 18, when Owen hosted Polk in the Western Highlands Conference opener for both programs.
Five was the magic number on the field for the Warhorses, who forced five turnovers while five different players recorded offensive touchdowns in a 46-27 victory over the Wolverines.
Owen welcomed the Swannanoa Valley’s youngest football players and cheerleaders for Youth Night, which featured dozens of Owen Warhorse Youth Football & Cheer League members greeting the high school team as it took the field. The opening kickoff was moved to 8:15 p.m., following multiple flashes of lightning in the hour before the contest.
The Owen defense was unphased by the delay, forcing the Wolverines to punt on their opening possession. An errant snap over the head of the Polk punter gave the Warhorse offense the ball at the opponent’s 36-yard line, before senior quarterback Emmett Minks and junior slotback Nathaniel Rollins put their team in scoring position. Minks capped the opening drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, followed by an unsuccessful 2-point conversion attempt.
With a 6-0 lead late in the first quarter, the Warhorse defense forced a Polk fumble that was recovered by Rollins, leading to an offensive possession ending with a 3-yard touchdown run by senior running back Stephen Anderson. A missed extra point attempt set the score at 12-0, as senior defensive end Bear Dasher forced and recovered a fumble on the ensuing Wolverines drive. The running back duo of junior Donte Middleton and sophomore Allijah Raines capitalized on the turnover, alternating carries to advance the ball deep into Polk territory. Raines completed the drive with a 6-yard rushing touchdown.
The Wolverines responded with a scoring drive late in the second quarter, as Owen entered the half with an 18-6 advantage.
The Warhorses opened the second half by recovering a short kickoff and taking possession on their own 41-yard line. A quick pass from Minks was pulled in by junior LaSalle Jones, who sprinted into the end zone for a 60-yard touchdown reception. In his debut as kicker, Josue Chavez-Michua followed the touchdown by connecting on his first successful extra point of the contest.
An onside kick recovered by Rollins set up another touchdown drive that began at the Polk 37-yard line and ended with a Anderson’s second rushing touchdown of the night. Chavez-Michua connected for his second straight extra point, giving the Warhorses a 32-6 advantage in the opening minutes of the second half.
Senior linebacker Thomas Russell stepped in front of a Polk pass for an interception on the subsequent drive, before a short Warhorse punt gave the Wolverines offense the ball on the Owen 34-yard line. Polk took advantage of the opportunity, finding the end zone through the air.
The Wolverines recovered an onside kick to set up another touchdown drive, cutting the lead to 32-20 in the waning minutes of the third quarter. Play was stopped, prior to the kickoff, for approximately 30 minutes, as medical personnel tended to an inured Polk player, who was treated in an ambulance before later walking out of the stadium without assistance.
Minks, who ended the night with 4 completions on 4 pass attempts for 108 yards, connected with junior receiver Slade Gardner for a long gain to end the third quarter. Middleton extended the Owen lead with a touchdown run in the opening minutes of the final quarter.
Anderson and junior Parker Halford each recorded interceptions in the fourth quarter, which included a second rushing touchdown by Middleton, who led the Warhorses with 63 rushing yards on 12 carries. He was complemented by 42 yards on 7 carries from Anderson, 31 yard on 5 carries from Raines and a 30-yard rushing performance by Minks. Seven Warhorses carried the ball at least five times in the contest, which ended at 11:25 p.m.
Owen improved to 3-2 with its second straight victory over conference rival Polk.
“It was great to be out here with my brothers and play the way we did tonight,” said Dasher. “I do want to thank God for that player being OK. We have a lot to be thankful for.”
Warhorse head coach John Faircloth expressed his gratitude for a strong showing from his defensive unit.
“Turnovers are a big part of what we’re doing,” he said. “We always want to limit other teams’ possessions, and it still felt like they had a few too many possessions tonight. But, plus-five takeaways is five less opportunities for them to put points on the board, so we’ll definitely take it.”
The messaging from the coaching staff prior to the game proved prescient, Faircloth told his players, as they gathered on the horseshoe at midfield after the victory.
“We talked about eliminating distractions,” he said. “We talked about living in the moment and what brings you joy.”
Players found happiness in bouncing back from a loss on the road to West Henderson last week, according to Dasher.
“It feels good to see our hard work pay off, and it always feels good to get another win,” he said. “Especially with all the adversity we’ve faced. I read chats saying Polk was 21 or 14 points better than us, but look at that scoreboard, because it says something different.”
Remaining focused on the task at hand will continue to be the theme, as Owen prepares to host Avery at 7:30 p.m., Friday, Sept. 25, for homecoming. The WHC matchup will feature a pair programs with identical 3-2 records.
“When you put the word ‘homecoming’ in there it’s always a big game,” Faircloth said. “But, what I’ve been saying since the Patton game is that we have to get back to being us and focusing on doing the things that make us who we are. We’ve got to take care of all the things that will help us be successful.”
Photos of Owen’s victory over Polk can be viewed in the gallery at the top of the page.